46 CFR 16.220: Periodic drug testing for credential applicants

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section requires applicants to pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs for certain credential actions, such as original issuance, raise of grade, or renewal of an officer endorsement. Test results must be dated not more than 185 days before the application. Pilots must test as part of their annual physical, and paragraph (c) lists exceptions.

Applies toApplicants for a Merchant Mariner Credential and endorsements, and each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination.

What it says

  1. Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section and § 10.227(g) of this subchapter, an applicant must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs for an original issuance of an MMC.

    46 CFR 16.220(a)“an applicant must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs”

  2. Test results must be completed and dated not more than 185 days before the application is submitted.

    46 CFR 16.220(a)(5)“The test results must be completed and dated not more than 185 days before submission of the application.”

  3. Unless excepted under paragraph (c), each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs as part of that examination and provide the results to the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 16.220(b)“each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs as a part of that examination”

  4. An applicant need not submit additional copies of the annual test if passing results were submitted to the Coast Guard within 12 months of the date of application.

    46 CFR 16.220(b)“if the applicant submitted passing results of a chemical test for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard within 12 months of the date of application”

  5. An applicant need not submit test evidence if they show satisfactory evidence of passing a test required by this part within the previous 6 months, with no subsequent positive tests during the rest of that 6-month period.

    46 CFR 16.220(c)(1)“Passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs required by this part within the previous 6 months with no subsequent positive chemical tests during the remainder of the 6-month period”

  6. An applicant also need not submit test evidence if, during the previous 185 days, they were subject to a random testing program required by § 16.230 for at least 60 days and did not fail or refuse to participate in a required test.

    46 CFR 16.220(c)(2)“During the previous 185 days been subject to a random testing program required by § 16.230 for at least 60 days”

  7. Except as provided by paragraph (b), an applicant must provide the results of only one chemical test when a single application covers multiple transactions.

    46 CFR 16.220(d)“an applicant is required to provide the results of only one chemical test for dangerous drugs when multiple transactions are covered by or requested in a single application”

Common questions

How old can a drug test be for a mariner credential application?

The test results must be completed and dated not more than 185 days before the application is submitted.

“The test results must be completed and dated not more than 185 days before submission of the application.”

Do I need a drug test for each transaction on one application?

No. Except as provided by paragraph (b), you must provide the results of only one chemical test when multiple transactions are in a single application.

“an applicant is required to provide the results of only one chemical test for dangerous drugs when multiple transactions are covered by or requested in a single application”

Who must take a drug test as part of an annual physical?

Each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination must pass a chemical test as part of it, unless excepted under paragraph (c).

“each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs as a part of that examination”

The text of 46 CFR 16.220

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Periodic testing requirements

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section and § 10.227(g) of this subchapter, an applicant must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs for—

(1) An original issuance of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC);

(2) The first issuance, raise of grade, or renewal of an officer endorsement on an MMC;

(3) A raise of grade of an MMC;

(4) The first endorsement as an Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED), or a tank vessel endorsement; or

(5) A reissuance of a credential with a new expiration date. Results of the test must be provided to the Coast Guard in a manner prescribed by the Coast Guard. The test results must be completed and dated not more than 185 days before submission of the application.

(b) Unless excepted under paragraph (c) of this section, each Pilot required by this subchapter to receive an annual physical examination must pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs as a part of that examination, and provide the results to the Coast Guard. Applicants need not submit additional copies of their annual chemical test for dangerous drugs pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section if the applicant submitted passing results of a chemical test for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard within 12 months of the date of application.

(c) An applicant need not submit evidence of passing a chemical test for dangerous drugs required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section if they provide satisfactory evidence that they have—

(1) Passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs required by this part within the previous 6 months with no subsequent positive chemical tests during the remainder of the 6-month period; or

(2) During the previous 185 days been subject to a random testing program required by § 16.230 for at least 60 days and did not fail or refuse to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs required by this part.

(d) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, an applicant is required to provide the results of only one chemical test for dangerous drugs when multiple transactions are covered by or requested in a single application.

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.